EP2438282B1 - Method and device for powering a diesel engine with dual fuel feed - Google Patents
Method and device for powering a diesel engine with dual fuel feed Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP2438282B1 EP2438282B1 EP10723084.9A EP10723084A EP2438282B1 EP 2438282 B1 EP2438282 B1 EP 2438282B1 EP 10723084 A EP10723084 A EP 10723084A EP 2438282 B1 EP2438282 B1 EP 2438282B1
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- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- injection
- diesel
- gasoil
- injectors
- control unit
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- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
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Classifications
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F02—COMBUSTION ENGINES; HOT-GAS OR COMBUSTION-PRODUCT ENGINE PLANTS
- F02D—CONTROLLING COMBUSTION ENGINES
- F02D19/00—Controlling engines characterised by their use of non-liquid fuels, pluralities of fuels, or non-fuel substances added to the combustible mixtures
- F02D19/06—Controlling engines characterised by their use of non-liquid fuels, pluralities of fuels, or non-fuel substances added to the combustible mixtures peculiar to engines working with pluralities of fuels, e.g. alternatively with light and heavy fuel oil, other than engines indifferent to the fuel consumed
- F02D19/0602—Control of components of the fuel supply system
- F02D19/0607—Control of components of the fuel supply system to adjust the fuel mass or volume flow
- F02D19/061—Control of components of the fuel supply system to adjust the fuel mass or volume flow by controlling fuel injectors
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F02—COMBUSTION ENGINES; HOT-GAS OR COMBUSTION-PRODUCT ENGINE PLANTS
- F02D—CONTROLLING COMBUSTION ENGINES
- F02D19/00—Controlling engines characterised by their use of non-liquid fuels, pluralities of fuels, or non-fuel substances added to the combustible mixtures
- F02D19/06—Controlling engines characterised by their use of non-liquid fuels, pluralities of fuels, or non-fuel substances added to the combustible mixtures peculiar to engines working with pluralities of fuels, e.g. alternatively with light and heavy fuel oil, other than engines indifferent to the fuel consumed
- F02D19/0663—Details on the fuel supply system, e.g. tanks, valves, pipes, pumps, rails, injectors or mixers
- F02D19/0686—Injectors
- F02D19/0692—Arrangement of multiple injectors per combustion chamber
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F02—COMBUSTION ENGINES; HOT-GAS OR COMBUSTION-PRODUCT ENGINE PLANTS
- F02D—CONTROLLING COMBUSTION ENGINES
- F02D19/00—Controlling engines characterised by their use of non-liquid fuels, pluralities of fuels, or non-fuel substances added to the combustible mixtures
- F02D19/06—Controlling engines characterised by their use of non-liquid fuels, pluralities of fuels, or non-fuel substances added to the combustible mixtures peculiar to engines working with pluralities of fuels, e.g. alternatively with light and heavy fuel oil, other than engines indifferent to the fuel consumed
- F02D19/08—Controlling engines characterised by their use of non-liquid fuels, pluralities of fuels, or non-fuel substances added to the combustible mixtures peculiar to engines working with pluralities of fuels, e.g. alternatively with light and heavy fuel oil, other than engines indifferent to the fuel consumed simultaneously using pluralities of fuels
- F02D19/081—Adjusting the fuel composition or mixing ratio; Transitioning from one fuel to the other
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F02—COMBUSTION ENGINES; HOT-GAS OR COMBUSTION-PRODUCT ENGINE PLANTS
- F02D—CONTROLLING COMBUSTION ENGINES
- F02D19/00—Controlling engines characterised by their use of non-liquid fuels, pluralities of fuels, or non-fuel substances added to the combustible mixtures
- F02D19/06—Controlling engines characterised by their use of non-liquid fuels, pluralities of fuels, or non-fuel substances added to the combustible mixtures peculiar to engines working with pluralities of fuels, e.g. alternatively with light and heavy fuel oil, other than engines indifferent to the fuel consumed
- F02D19/08—Controlling engines characterised by their use of non-liquid fuels, pluralities of fuels, or non-fuel substances added to the combustible mixtures peculiar to engines working with pluralities of fuels, e.g. alternatively with light and heavy fuel oil, other than engines indifferent to the fuel consumed simultaneously using pluralities of fuels
- F02D19/10—Controlling engines characterised by their use of non-liquid fuels, pluralities of fuels, or non-fuel substances added to the combustible mixtures peculiar to engines working with pluralities of fuels, e.g. alternatively with light and heavy fuel oil, other than engines indifferent to the fuel consumed simultaneously using pluralities of fuels peculiar to compression-ignition engines in which the main fuel is gaseous
- F02D19/105—Controlling engines characterised by their use of non-liquid fuels, pluralities of fuels, or non-fuel substances added to the combustible mixtures peculiar to engines working with pluralities of fuels, e.g. alternatively with light and heavy fuel oil, other than engines indifferent to the fuel consumed simultaneously using pluralities of fuels peculiar to compression-ignition engines in which the main fuel is gaseous operating in a special mode, e.g. in a liquid fuel only mode for starting
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F02—COMBUSTION ENGINES; HOT-GAS OR COMBUSTION-PRODUCT ENGINE PLANTS
- F02D—CONTROLLING COMBUSTION ENGINES
- F02D41/00—Electrical control of supply of combustible mixture or its constituents
- F02D41/0025—Controlling engines characterised by use of non-liquid fuels, pluralities of fuels, or non-fuel substances added to the combustible mixtures
- F02D41/0027—Controlling engines characterised by use of non-liquid fuels, pluralities of fuels, or non-fuel substances added to the combustible mixtures the fuel being gaseous
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F02—COMBUSTION ENGINES; HOT-GAS OR COMBUSTION-PRODUCT ENGINE PLANTS
- F02D—CONTROLLING COMBUSTION ENGINES
- F02D41/00—Electrical control of supply of combustible mixture or its constituents
- F02D41/30—Controlling fuel injection
- F02D41/38—Controlling fuel injection of the high pressure type
- F02D41/40—Controlling fuel injection of the high pressure type with means for controlling injection timing or duration
- F02D41/402—Multiple injections
- F02D41/403—Multiple injections with pilot injections
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- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
- Y02T—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO TRANSPORTATION
- Y02T10/00—Road transport of goods or passengers
- Y02T10/10—Internal combustion engine [ICE] based vehicles
- Y02T10/30—Use of alternative fuels, e.g. biofuels
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- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
- Y02T—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO TRANSPORTATION
- Y02T10/00—Road transport of goods or passengers
- Y02T10/10—Internal combustion engine [ICE] based vehicles
- Y02T10/40—Engine management systems
Definitions
- the present invention relates to a method for powering a compression ignition engine, in particular a diesel engine, with dual fuel feed in the form of gasoil and gas, in particular methane, in accordance with the introduction to the main claim.
- the present invention also relates to a device for implementing said method in accordance with the corresponding independent claim.
- WO 03/081009 A1 discloses an example of such an engine.
- a modem injection diesel engine is known to comprise a plurality of electro-injectors (hereinafter known simply as "injectors") associated with the cylinders and arranged to inject a diesel fuel, for example gasoil, into these latter.
- injectors electro-injectors
- the injection operation is activated and controlled by an electronic control unit which, based on particular parameters, activates the injectors to introduce a predefined gasoil quantity into said cylinders in accordance with predefined injection phases.
- the parameters on the basis of which said control unit operates are usually the temperature of the engine coolant liquid, the distribution control phase and the engine r.p.m., the fuel temperature and pressure and the combustion air pressure.
- the control unit activates the injectors by means of an electrical command, the duration of which depends on the power required from the engine.
- This activation comprises a sequence of operating periods during which the gasoil is introduced into the cylinders.
- each period comprises at least one pilot injection phase (or simply "injection") and one main injection phase.
- the main injection has a duration varying on the basis of the power required from the engine and is defined by the electronic control unit based on the engine load and on the aforesaid parameters (measured by suitable known sensors), and by the position of the accelerator pedal (this also measured by known sensors) and of other usual known variables related to the engine operation and measured in known manner.
- Dual fuel feed diesel engines operating with gasoil and methane are known. However these engines do not provide for diesel injection by electro-injectors controlled by a control unit.
- An object of the present invention is to provide a method and device enabling a latest generation diesel engine to be powered with dual fuel feed (mixture), namely gasoil and gas, in particular methane, in which the injectors are electro-injectors controlled by an electronic control unit.
- a further object is to provide a method and device of the stated type which prevent any interruption in correct engine operation when powered by a gasoil/gas mixture.
- Another object is to provide a method and device of the stated type which enable the desired diesel engine performance to be also achieved when operating with a gasoil/gas mixture.
- Another object is to provide a method and device of the stated type which enable dual fuel feed of the diesel engine to be achieved by simple and reliable means.
- a diesel cycle engine 1 comprises a plurality of electro-injectors 2 (connected to a common header, not shown) for feeding gasoil (or equivalent fuel for operating a diesel cycle engine) into the engine cylinders.
- electro-injectors or simply "injectors"
- These electro-injectors operate under the control of an electronic control unit 4.
- This latter controls the operation or actuation of these injectors 2 on the basis of data related to the engine operation and reaching the control unit 4 from suitable known sensors (indicated by way of example by the block 7 in Figure 1 ), which measure various engine parameters (such as its r.p.m., the overpressure in the gasoil feed conduit, the timing control phase and the temperature of the cooling circuit fluid) and/or of other parts of the vehicle (such as the fuel temperature and pressure)
- suitable known sensors indicated by way of example by the block 7 in Figure 1
- engine parameters such as its r.p.m., the overpressure in the gasoil feed conduit, the timing control phase and the temperature of the cooling circuit fluid
- other parts of the vehicle such as the fuel temperature and pressure
- an intake air manifold 8 is present, to which the gas, particularly methane, injectors 9 are connected, to feed this latter to the engine cylinders to enable them to operate with gas concurrently with operation with gasoil when dual fuel feed is required.
- the injectors 9 are connected to their own control unit 10 for controlling their actuation.
- each injection is commanded by the control unit 4 (or “diesel control unit") to execute at least one (two in Figure 2 ) pilot injection P1 (and P2 in Figure 2 ) of gasoil into the corresponding cylinder followed by a main injection I.
- the number and duration of these injections is not constant, but varies according to the engine operating point (engine operation condition, power, torque, engine r.p.m. etc.).
- the device of the invention enables a latest generation diesel engine, with electronically controlled electro-injectors, to be transformed into a dual fuel engine fed either with gasoil or with a gasoil and methane mixture.
- This latter condition is achieved by the operation of the control unit 10 (to be known as the "gas control unit") which controls the gas injectors 9 and reduces the gasoil quantity injected by the intervention of suitable reducer means.
- the command to the gas injectors 9 results in methane being injected into the manifold 8, then in the first useful intake phase following this injection the gas is fed into the cylinders and is present in them at least during the main injection and possibly even during at least one of its pilot injections.
- the device of the invention comprises an emulation unit 12, defining the reducer means, and connected via electrical connections 12A to electrical connection lines 13 between the diesel control unit 4 and the injectors (or “diesel injectors") 2.
- This unit 12 senses and acquires the control signals for the diesel control unit 4 addressed to the diesel injectors 2 and provides the gas control unit 10 with the data relative to the gasoil injection times and in particular to the main injection time I which each injector is commanded to execute on the basis of the power required from the engine; the unit 12 also provides the gas control unit 10 with the number and position of the pilot injections.
- this later processes the gasoil injection times and commands the emulation unit 12 to interrupt the operation of the diesel injectors 2 during an injection cycle subsequent to that in which the unit 12 has acquired the aforesaid gasoil injection time data and during at least the gasoil main injection I (and, in a possible variant, during at least one of the two pilot injections).
- This interruption takes place for a time defined by the current engine conditions (defined by its r.p.m., the gasoil pressure in the common header or rail - not shown - feeding the injectors 2 and the gasoil injection time) and by the reading of the data originating from the cooling fluid temperature and methane temperature sensors from the timing phase and from the methane velocity and pressure.
- Said gasoil injection interruption results in a reduction in the total gasoil quantity fed during the entire main injection.
- the gas control unit 10 commands the opening of the gas injectors 9 for a determined time to enable the engine to attain the same power and operating torque when fed by gasoil (less the tolerance acceptable by current regulations). More particularly, when dual fuel engine operation is activated, the gas control unit 10 commands the gas injectors 9 to inject a quantity of methane into the air intake manifold 8. This injection, which takes place for a time period indicated by the gas control unit 10, is such as to inject a quantity of gas (methane) sufficient to replace the gasoil quantity cut off, in order to attain the same power and the same torque in accordance with current regulations and according to user requirements.
- the gas control unit 10 commands the unit 12 to generate along the lines 13 an electric signal directed to the diesel control unit 4 similar to that which the diesel injectors 2 usually generate during the main injection I and which is fed to said control unit to enable the diesel control unit 4 to verify their implementation for the necessary and required time period.
- the electric signal generated by the emulation unit 12 "masks" the interruption in the operation of the diesel injectors 2 (the diesel control unit 4 sensing that they still operate in the required manner by obtaining this electric signal originating from said unit 12) and prevents this control unit from displaying a fault in the engine operation by entering a diagnostic phase and warning the user, who is using the vehicle on which the engine is mounted, that there is a fault in the engine feed.
- Each line 13 which connects the diesel control unit 4 to the injectors 2 comprises in reality a first branch 13A which starts from the control unit and terminates in the injector, and a second branch 13B which starts from the injection, passes into the emulation unit 12 presenting a change-over switch 20 for injection control (comprising, as visible for example in Figures 3 and 6 , for example a controlled static switch 21) and a sensor 22 for sensing the direction of the electric signal (defined, as visible for example in Figure 6 , for example by a resistor 23); the branch 13A then returns into control unit 4.
- a change-over switch 20 for injection control comprising, as visible for example in Figures 3 and 6 , for example a controlled static switch 21
- a sensor 22 for sensing the direction of the electric signal
- the unit 12 comprises a component 25 generating an electric signal for emulating the return signal to the control unit 4 generated by the injection 2 during normal gasoil operation of the diesel engine.
- the purpose of the emulation unit connected to the gas control unit 10 and shown in Figure 6 is, as stated, to interrupt the current circulating through the injection and to provide the diesel control unit 4 with a current emulated by a load having characteristics similar to those of the gasoil injection 2.
- This unit comprises a circuit arrangement, already partly cited, which has three distinct modes of operation.
- the injection time information is supplied to the gas control unit by the integrated circuit with a square signal.
- control unit 10 is always able to recognize the injection time schedule and the duration of the main injection I. Hence when necessary and requested, it can suitably command and control the engine methane feed, this feed preferably and advantageously taking place in a suitable quantity during the intake phase of the engine 1 operating cycle. During this phase the gas, injected into the intake manifold 8, arrives in the cylinder where it joins the residual gasoil quantity injected into this latter.
- Methane injection into the intake manifold 8 must be in advance of the gasoil injection interruption or cut-off.
- the control unit 10 determines the gasoil quantity to be cut off in the next feed cycle, activates the gas injectors 9 to inject this latter into the manifold 8 and only after this gas injection does it reduce the quantity of gasoil injected by interrupting the operation of the injectors 2 during an injection phase (main and possibly also pilot).
- the invention enables a quantity of the gasoil feed to be replaced with a suitable gas quantity for part of the time of a main injection I of fuel into a cylinder of the engine 1 and, in a variant, also for part of at least one pilot injection.
- the invention provides for interrupting this gasoil injection after it has begun (hence reducing the total gasoil quantity fed during an engine feed phase) and for replacing the cut-off gasoil with a quantity of methane gas such as to enable the engine to offer the required performance.
- Replacing the injection of a gasoil quantity by injecting a suitable methane quantity takes place without the control unit 4 sensing any fuel variation. This is achieved by generating, along the branch 12W connected to the branch 13B, an electric signal corresponding to that which would have been present along this latter branch (13B) if there had not been any interruption in the operation of the diesel injection 2.
- This interruption takes place by controlling the switch 21, which opens the connection between the switch and the branch 13B (see Figure 5 which schematically indicates this situation), said switch being controlled by the gas control unit 10 (see the output 10A of this latter). Simultaneously, this control unit 10 closes the switch 32 (via the control unit output 10B) which enables the current signal (or an electric signal in general) to be generated which, fed to the branch 12W, passes into the branch 13B to "emulate" the electric signal generated by the switch 2 and directed to the diesel control unit 4.
- the control unit 10 also commands that gas injection 9 corresponding to the deactivated diesel injection to feed a suitable gauged methane quantity into the corresponding intake manifold 8, by means of the output 10C of the control unit 10.
- the control unit 10 reads the injection time from the sensor 22 by reading the current circulating therethrough. The current is measured by the sensor 23 and fed to the control unit 10 in the form of a square wave signal.
- the information regarding the injection time is controlled by the control unit 10 such as to reduce the gasoil percentage by a predefined quantity and to introduce the suitable gas quantity to be injected into the cylinder based on individual values following experimental analyses carried out on the engine aimed at obtaining the same performance (power and torque) obtained by gasoil feed alone without worsening pollutant emissions, in accordance with current regulations.
- the gas control unit 10 implements emulation and controls the gas injection.
- Figures 4 and 5 show respectively those situations in which gasoil is fed and in which there is interruption of the circuit branches towards the emulation unit 12 or towards the injection 2, corresponding respectively to feeding the engine with gasoil and with gasoil and gas mixture (dual fuel) respectively.
- Figures 7, 8 and 9 show variants of the circuit defining the emulation unit 12.
- the emulation current is obtained by means of an emulation component or member 25 defined by a coil.
- this member is defined by an emulation resistance (or similar resistive component);
- the emulation member is a resistive component or resistor connected to a battery 40.
- this member 25 is a resistor or a coil; however the reconstruction of the gasoil injection time is obtained by measuring the injector control voltage through an electric branch 50 connected at one end to the injection and at the other end to the circuit 31.
- the unit 12 forms part of the gas control unit 10, and these are to be considered as falling within the scope of the following claims.
- at least one chosen from the pilot injection (P1, P2) and the main injection (I) is modified; the purpose of this is to improve combustion in dual fuel operating mode.
- the gas injectors 9 are not connected to the manifold 8, but are arranged to inject the gas directly into the combustion chamber.
Description
- The present invention relates to a method for powering a compression ignition engine, in particular a diesel engine, with dual fuel feed in the form of gasoil and gas, in particular methane, in accordance with the introduction to the main claim. The present invention also relates to a device for implementing said method in accordance with the corresponding independent claim.
WO 03/081009 A1 - A modem injection diesel engine is known to comprise a plurality of electro-injectors (hereinafter known simply as "injectors") associated with the cylinders and arranged to inject a diesel fuel, for example gasoil, into these latter. The injection operation is activated and controlled by an electronic control unit which, based on particular parameters, activates the injectors to introduce a predefined gasoil quantity into said cylinders in accordance with predefined injection phases. The parameters on the basis of which said control unit operates are usually the temperature of the engine coolant liquid, the distribution control phase and the engine r.p.m., the fuel temperature and pressure and the combustion air pressure. During normal engine operation, the control unit activates the injectors by means of an electrical command, the duration of which depends on the power required from the engine. This activation comprises a sequence of operating periods during which the gasoil is introduced into the cylinders. In particular, each period comprises at least one pilot injection phase (or simply "injection") and one main injection phase. In contrast to each pilot injection of predetermined duration, the main injection has a duration varying on the basis of the power required from the engine and is defined by the electronic control unit based on the engine load and on the aforesaid parameters (measured by suitable known sensors), and by the position of the accelerator pedal (this also measured by known sensors) and of other usual known variables related to the engine operation and measured in known manner.
- Dual fuel feed diesel engines operating with gasoil and methane are known. However these engines do not provide for diesel injection by electro-injectors controlled by a control unit.
- An object of the present invention is to provide a method and device enabling a latest generation diesel engine to be powered with dual fuel feed (mixture), namely gasoil and gas, in particular methane, in which the injectors are electro-injectors controlled by an electronic control unit.
- A further object is to provide a method and device of the stated type which prevent any interruption in correct engine operation when powered by a gasoil/gas mixture. Another object is to provide a method and device of the stated type which enable the desired diesel engine performance to be also achieved when operating with a gasoil/gas mixture.
- Another object is to provide a method and device of the stated type which enable dual fuel feed of the diesel engine to be achieved by simple and reliable means. These and other objects which will be apparent to the expert of the art are attained by a method and device in accordance with the accompanying claims.
- The present invention will be more apparent from the accompanying drawings, which are provided by way of non-limiting example and in which:
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Figure 1 shows a scheme of a device according to the invention applied to a diesel engine; -
Figure 2 shows a graph indicating in simplified manner the modalities of the gasoil injection control phases in the engine plotted against time; -
Figure 3 shows a block scheme of the device according to the invention; -
Figure 4 shows a block scheme of the device ofFigure 3 during the use of the engine with gasoil feed; -
Figure 5 shows a block scheme of the device ofFigure 3 during the use of the engine with feed in the form of a mixture of gasoil and gas; -
Figure 6 shows a circuit schematic of the device shown inFigure 3 ; -
Figure 7 shows a circuit schematic of a device representing a variant of the device ofFigure 3 ; -
Figure 8 shows a block scheme of another variant of the device ofFigure 3 ; and -
Figure 9 shows a circuit schematic of another variant of the device ofFigure 3 . - With reference to said figures, a
diesel cycle engine 1 comprises a plurality of electro-injectors 2 (connected to a common header, not shown) for feeding gasoil (or equivalent fuel for operating a diesel cycle engine) into the engine cylinders. These electro-injectors (or simply "injectors"), of known electronically actuated type, operate under the control of anelectronic control unit 4. This latter controls the operation or actuation of theseinjectors 2 on the basis of data related to the engine operation and reaching thecontrol unit 4 from suitable known sensors (indicated by way of example by theblock 7 inFigure 1 ), which measure various engine parameters (such as its r.p.m., the overpressure in the gasoil feed conduit, the timing control phase and the temperature of the cooling circuit fluid) and/or of other parts of the vehicle (such as the fuel temperature and pressure) These data, and the power requirement of an engine user, causes the control unit to define the modality of operation of the injectors. - At the
injectors 2 anintake air manifold 8 is present, to which the gas, particularly methane,injectors 9 are connected, to feed this latter to the engine cylinders to enable them to operate with gas concurrently with operation with gasoil when dual fuel feed is required. Theinjectors 9 are connected to theirown control unit 10 for controlling their actuation. - The gasoil feed takes place in accordance with precise modalities shown schematically in the graph of
Figure 2 . According to these modalities, each injection is commanded by the control unit 4 (or "diesel control unit") to execute at least one (two inFigure 2 ) pilot injection P1 (and P2 inFigure 2 ) of gasoil into the corresponding cylinder followed by a main injection I. The number and duration of these injections is not constant, but varies according to the engine operating point (engine operation condition, power, torque, engine r.p.m. etc.). - According to the invention, the device of the invention enables a latest generation diesel engine, with electronically controlled electro-injectors, to be transformed into a dual fuel engine fed either with gasoil or with a gasoil and methane mixture. This latter condition is achieved by the operation of the control unit 10 (to be known as the "gas control unit") which controls the
gas injectors 9 and reduces the gasoil quantity injected by the intervention of suitable reducer means. The command to thegas injectors 9 results in methane being injected into themanifold 8, then in the first useful intake phase following this injection the gas is fed into the cylinders and is present in them at least during the main injection and possibly even during at least one of its pilot injections. - More particularly, the device of the invention comprises an
emulation unit 12, defining the reducer means, and connected viaelectrical connections 12A toelectrical connection lines 13 between thediesel control unit 4 and the injectors (or "diesel injectors") 2. Thisunit 12 senses and acquires the control signals for thediesel control unit 4 addressed to thediesel injectors 2 and provides thegas control unit 10 with the data relative to the gasoil injection times and in particular to the main injection time I which each injector is commanded to execute on the basis of the power required from the engine; theunit 12 also provides thegas control unit 10 with the number and position of the pilot injections. - On the basis of the data fed by the emulation unit to the
gas control unit 10, this later processes the gasoil injection times and commands theemulation unit 12 to interrupt the operation of thediesel injectors 2 during an injection cycle subsequent to that in which theunit 12 has acquired the aforesaid gasoil injection time data and during at least the gasoil main injection I (and, in a possible variant, during at least one of the two pilot injections). This interruption takes place for a time defined by the current engine conditions (defined by its r.p.m., the gasoil pressure in the common header or rail - not shown - feeding theinjectors 2 and the gasoil injection time) and by the reading of the data originating from the cooling fluid temperature and methane temperature sensors from the timing phase and from the methane velocity and pressure. - Said gasoil injection interruption results in a reduction in the total gasoil quantity fed during the entire main injection.
- The
gas control unit 10 commands the opening of thegas injectors 9 for a determined time to enable the engine to attain the same power and operating torque when fed by gasoil (less the tolerance acceptable by current regulations). More particularly, when dual fuel engine operation is activated, thegas control unit 10 commands thegas injectors 9 to inject a quantity of methane into theair intake manifold 8. This injection, which takes place for a time period indicated by thegas control unit 10, is such as to inject a quantity of gas (methane) sufficient to replace the gasoil quantity cut off, in order to attain the same power and the same torque in accordance with current regulations and according to user requirements. During the injection or cut-off in the gasoil main injection I (with consequent reduction in the quantity of this fuel fed into each cylinder) effected by theunit 12, thegas control unit 10 commands theunit 12 to generate along thelines 13 an electric signal directed to thediesel control unit 4 similar to that which thediesel injectors 2 usually generate during the main injection I and which is fed to said control unit to enable thediesel control unit 4 to verify their implementation for the necessary and required time period. - The electric signal generated by the
emulation unit 12 "masks" the interruption in the operation of the diesel injectors 2 (thediesel control unit 4 sensing that they still operate in the required manner by obtaining this electric signal originating from said unit 12) and prevents this control unit from displaying a fault in the engine operation by entering a diagnostic phase and warning the user, who is using the vehicle on which the engine is mounted, that there is a fault in the engine feed. Eachline 13 which connects thediesel control unit 4 to theinjectors 2 comprises in reality afirst branch 13A which starts from the control unit and terminates in the injector, and asecond branch 13B which starts from the injection, passes into theemulation unit 12 presenting a change-over switch 20 for injection control (comprising, as visible for example inFigures 3 and 6 , for example a controlled static switch 21) and asensor 22 for sensing the direction of the electric signal (defined, as visible for example inFigure 6 , for example by a resistor 23); thebranch 13A then returns intocontrol unit 4. - To the
branch 13A a corresponding electrical connection is connected defined by anelectrical branch 12K which starts from thebranch 13A and terminates in anemulation member 12F; from this anelectrical branch 12W extends to reach theaforesaid sensor 2. As visible, for example, inFigures 3 and 6 , theunit 12 comprises acomponent 25 generating an electric signal for emulating the return signal to thecontrol unit 4 generated by theinjection 2 during normal gasoil operation of the diesel engine. - The purpose of the emulation unit connected to the
gas control unit 10 and shown inFigure 6 is, as stated, to interrupt the current circulating through the injection and to provide thediesel control unit 4 with a current emulated by a load having characteristics similar to those of thegasoil injection 2. This unit comprises a circuit arrangement, already partly cited, which has three distinct modes of operation. - 1. With the device of the invention not enabled and the engine at rest, the circuit of the
unit 12 bypasses the gasoil injection interruption my means of arelay member 30 and provides thegas control unit 10 with the reading of the injection times via theintegrated circuit 31; in this state, gasoil operation is ensured and gas injection is not activated. - 2. During gasoil operation both the
relay member 30 and theswitch 21 are enabled. - 3. During operation in emulation mode, the
switch 21 is opened with simultaneous closure of aswitch 32 which enables the connection between thebranches branches - Under any operating condition with gasoil, in emulation mode and with the system non-enabled, the injection time information is supplied to the gas control unit by the integrated circuit with a square signal.
- Hence the
control unit 10 is always able to recognize the injection time schedule and the duration of the main injection I. Hence when necessary and requested, it can suitably command and control the engine methane feed, this feed preferably and advantageously taking place in a suitable quantity during the intake phase of theengine 1 operating cycle. During this phase the gas, injected into theintake manifold 8, arrives in the cylinder where it joins the residual gasoil quantity injected into this latter. - Methane injection into the
intake manifold 8 must be in advance of the gasoil injection interruption or cut-off. In that case thecontrol unit 10 determines the gasoil quantity to be cut off in the next feed cycle, activates thegas injectors 9 to inject this latter into themanifold 8 and only after this gas injection does it reduce the quantity of gasoil injected by interrupting the operation of theinjectors 2 during an injection phase (main and possibly also pilot). - In other words, the invention enables a quantity of the gasoil feed to be replaced with a suitable gas quantity for part of the time of a main injection I of fuel into a cylinder of the
engine 1 and, in a variant, also for part of at least one pilot injection. The invention provides for interrupting this gasoil injection after it has begun (hence reducing the total gasoil quantity fed during an engine feed phase) and for replacing the cut-off gasoil with a quantity of methane gas such as to enable the engine to offer the required performance. - Replacing the injection of a gasoil quantity by injecting a suitable methane quantity takes place without the
control unit 4 sensing any fuel variation. This is achieved by generating, along thebranch 12W connected to thebranch 13B, an electric signal corresponding to that which would have been present along this latter branch (13B) if there had not been any interruption in the operation of thediesel injection 2. - This interruption takes place by controlling the
switch 21, which opens the connection between the switch and thebranch 13B (seeFigure 5 which schematically indicates this situation), said switch being controlled by the gas control unit 10 (see theoutput 10A of this latter). Simultaneously, thiscontrol unit 10 closes the switch 32 (via thecontrol unit output 10B) which enables the current signal (or an electric signal in general) to be generated which, fed to thebranch 12W, passes into thebranch 13B to "emulate" the electric signal generated by theswitch 2 and directed to thediesel control unit 4. Thecontrol unit 10 also commands thatgas injection 9 corresponding to the deactivated diesel injection to feed a suitable gauged methane quantity into the correspondingintake manifold 8, by means of theoutput 10C of thecontrol unit 10. - During operation with gasoil, the
control unit 10 reads the injection time from thesensor 22 by reading the current circulating therethrough. The current is measured by thesensor 23 and fed to thecontrol unit 10 in the form of a square wave signal. During the next engine feed phase, when dual fuel feed is required, the information regarding the injection time is controlled by thecontrol unit 10 such as to reduce the gasoil percentage by a predefined quantity and to introduce the suitable gas quantity to be injected into the cylinder based on individual values following experimental analyses carried out on the engine aimed at obtaining the same performance (power and torque) obtained by gasoil feed alone without worsening pollutant emissions, in accordance with current regulations. - During the disabling of the
gasoil injection 2, thegas control unit 10 implements emulation and controls the gas injection. -
Figures 4 and 5 show respectively those situations in which gasoil is fed and in which there is interruption of the circuit branches towards theemulation unit 12 or towards theinjection 2, corresponding respectively to feeding the engine with gasoil and with gasoil and gas mixture (dual fuel) respectively. -
Figures 7, 8 and9 show variants of the circuit defining theemulation unit 12. In the embodiment ofFigure 6 , the emulation current is obtained by means of an emulation component ormember 25 defined by a coil. InFigure 7 , this member is defined by an emulation resistance (or similar resistive component); inFigure 8 , the emulation member is a resistive component or resistor connected to abattery 40. InFigure 9 , thismember 25 is a resistor or a coil; however the reconstruction of the gasoil injection time is obtained by measuring the injector control voltage through anelectric branch 50 connected at one end to the injection and at the other end to thecircuit 31. - Various embodiments have been described. Others are possible, such as one in which the
unit 12 forms part of thegas control unit 10, and these are to be considered as falling within the scope of the following claims. In another variant, at least one chosen from the pilot injection (P1, P2) and the main injection (I) is modified; the purpose of this is to improve combustion in dual fuel operating mode. In a further variant, thegas injectors 9 are not connected to themanifold 8, but are arranged to inject the gas directly into the combustion chamber.
Claims (10)
- A method for powering a diesel engine (1) with dual fuel feed, namely diesel fuel, i.e. fuel ignited by compression, and gas, in particular gasoil and methane, said engine (1) comprising a plurality of diesel electro-injectors (2) arranged to feed said fuel into corresponding cylinders, said diesel injectors (2) being activated and controlled in their operation by an electronic control unit (4) which supervises their operativity on the basis of predefined control parameters, the injection of this diesel fuel, for example gasoil, by each diesel injection (2) taking place in accordance with a modality which comprises at least one pilot injection (P1; P2) followed by a main gasoil injection (I) into the corresponding cylinder, characterised by reducing, at least during the main injection (I), the gasoil quantity injected and replacing the lacking gasoil quantity with a quantity of gas to enable correct engine operation while maintaining the requested power and torque values during use, during said reduction in the diesel fuel there being fed to the electronic control unit (4) controlling the diesel injectors (2) an electric signal which emulates the activation of these latter and masks the reduction in the gasoil quantity introduced into the cylinder in order to prevent said control unit (4) for said diesel injectors (2) from sensing said reduction.
- A method as claimed in claim 1, characterised by also reducing the gasoil quantity during the pilot injection.
- A method as claimed in claim 1 or 1 and 2, characterised by modifying the moment at which at least one chosen from the main injection and the pilot injection begins.
- A method as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that the gas is injected in advance of the interruption of the gasoil injection of an injection cycle.
- A method as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that during operation with gasoil and during activation of the diesel injectors (2) the time during which the main injection (I) is carried out is measured, said information being used to identify the engine operating point.
- A method as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that during gas feed, electrical communication between each diesel injection (2) and the electronic control unit (4) is interrupted, and a unit (12) emulating the operation of said injectors is connected to this latter to generate the electric signal which emulates the operation of these latter injectors, said emulation unit (12) being connected to an electronic control unit (10) for controlling gas injectors (9) which are connected to a corresponding engine air manifold (8), or alternatively are arranged to feed gas directly into corresponding cylinders and to introduce the gas into said manifold or into the cylinders in a suitable quantity, as replacement for the gasoil quantity lacking.
- A device for powering a diesel engine (1) with dual fuel feed, namely diesel fuel and gas, in particular gasoil and methane, said engine (1) comprising a plurality of diesel electro-injectors (2) arranged to feed said fuel, for example gasoil, into corresponding cylinders, said diesel injectors (2) being activated and controlled in their operation by an electronic control unit (4) which supervises their operativity on the basis of predefined control parameters, the gasoil injection by each diesel injection (2) taking place in accordance with a modality which comprises at least one pilot injection (P1; P2) followed by a main gasoil injection (I) into the corresponding cylinder means (9) for feeding gas to the engine (1) being provided, said means being controlled by corresponding command and control means (10), characterised that the means for feeding gas during the dual fuel feed mode are gas injectors (9), the command and control means for these latter being an electronic control unit (10), this latter interrupting operation of the diesel injectors (2) at least during the main gasoil injection (I) such as to reduce the quantity of this fuel fed into the cylinders, and replacing the lacking gasoil quantity with a quantity of gas such as to enable the engine to offer the required performance, an emulation unit (12) being provided electrically interposed between the control unit (4) for command and control of the diesel injectors (2) and these latter, said unit being arranged to generate an electric signal directed to said control unit (4) for the diesel injectors when the operation of these latter is interrupted, said signal masking this interruption and preventing said control unit (4) from sensing the interruption in gasoil injection into the cylinders.
- A device as claimed in claim 7, characterised in that the gas injectors (9) are connected to a cylinder intake manifold and are activated in advance of the interruption in the operation of the diesel injectors.
- A device as claimed in claim 7, characterised in that the emulation unit comprises at least one of the following characteristics:- for each diesel injection (2) it presents a control member (20) defined by a change-over switch (21) arranged to interrupt the connection between said injection and the corresponding said control unit (4) when dual fuel feed mode is required;- it comprises a member (31) for measuring the total injection times (I, P1, P2) of each diesel injection (2), said information being fed to the control unit (10) for controlling and commanding the gas injectors (9), said control unit (10) using said information to implement said gas injection into the engine feed cycle subsequent to that in which said information has been obtained;- it comprises an emulation member (25) arranged to generate the electric signal directed to the control unit (4) which controls the injectors (2) and which masks its deactivation, said member being chosen from a coil and a resistive component, this latter being connected to the diesel injection (2) or to an electrical supply such as a battery (40), controlled by a static switch.
- A device as claimed in claim 7, characterised by comprising at least one of the following further characteristics:- the emulation unit (12) forms part of the control unit (10) commanding the gas injectors (9);- said gas injectors (9) are associated directly with corresponding engine cylinders.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
ITMI2009A000968A IT1394711B1 (en) | 2009-06-03 | 2009-06-03 | METHOD AND DEVICE FOR POWERING A DIESEL ENGINE WITH DOUBLE SUPPLY |
PCT/EP2010/057170 WO2010139572A1 (en) | 2009-06-03 | 2010-05-25 | Method and device for powering a diesel engine with dual fuel feed |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP2438282A1 EP2438282A1 (en) | 2012-04-11 |
EP2438282B1 true EP2438282B1 (en) | 2015-07-08 |
Family
ID=41395475
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP10723084.9A Not-in-force EP2438282B1 (en) | 2009-06-03 | 2010-05-25 | Method and device for powering a diesel engine with dual fuel feed |
Country Status (3)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP2438282B1 (en) |
IT (1) | IT1394711B1 (en) |
WO (1) | WO2010139572A1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
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WO2012157001A1 (en) | 2011-05-13 | 2012-11-22 | Kad 3 Srl | Bi-fuel injector with a double sealing nozzle and two inlet fittings for two separate feeding lines |
PL221746B1 (en) | 2012-03-06 | 2016-05-31 | Sarre Piotr | Method for optimizing the dual fuel power, electronically controlled, four-stroke piston engines with the compression ignition using gaseous fuels |
ITBO20120303A1 (en) | 2012-06-04 | 2013-12-05 | Brum S R L | SYSTEM FOR THE SUPPLY OF AN INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE |
Family Cites Families (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
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IT1317659B1 (en) * | 2000-05-22 | 2003-07-15 | Landi Renzo Spa | DEVICE AND METHOD TO ALLOW THE CORRECT OPERATION OF AN INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE POWERED ALTERNATIVELY TO A FIRST |
US6694242B2 (en) * | 2002-03-20 | 2004-02-17 | Clean Air Power, Inc. | Dual fuel engine having multiple dedicated controllers connected by a broadband communications link |
WO2008064415A1 (en) * | 2007-08-20 | 2008-06-05 | Gas Tek Solutions Pty Ltd | Diesel fuel engine injection system & method therefor |
WO2008043323A1 (en) * | 2006-10-11 | 2008-04-17 | Goldschmitt Techmobil Ag | Diesel engine |
DE102007017561A1 (en) * | 2007-04-12 | 2008-10-16 | Cornelis Hendrik Heim | Diesel fuel and combustible gas common combustion method for combustion chamber of vehicle's diesel engine, involves merging combustible gas and charge air to fuel air mixture that is compressed |
-
2009
- 2009-06-03 IT ITMI2009A000968A patent/IT1394711B1/en active
-
2010
- 2010-05-25 WO PCT/EP2010/057170 patent/WO2010139572A1/en active Application Filing
- 2010-05-25 EP EP10723084.9A patent/EP2438282B1/en not_active Not-in-force
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
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EP2438282A1 (en) | 2012-04-11 |
WO2010139572A1 (en) | 2010-12-09 |
IT1394711B1 (en) | 2012-07-13 |
ITMI20090968A1 (en) | 2010-12-04 |
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